System and method for transforming a digital calendar into a strategic tool

ABSTRACT

A processor determines a priority for a user of a digital calendar system. The processor determines a link between the priority and a calendar entry in the digital calendar system. A change to the digital calendar system associated with the priority is determined. An effect on the priority based upon the change to the digital calendar system is determined. Data is generated describing a display of the effect on the priority for display in a user interface of the digital calendar system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/395,845, filed Apr. 26, 2019, which is a Continuation in Part of PCTApplication PCT/US2017/59019, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/414,075, filed Oct. 28, 2016, the entiretiesof each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to digital calendar systems.

BACKGROUND

Traditional digital calendar systems or personal information managers(PIMs) provide transactional tools that allow users to automate calendarfunctions or to operate as personal organizers. A PIM tool's purpose isto facilitate the recording, tracking, and management of certain typesof personal information. A PIM tool is concerned with how peopleorganize and maintain personal information collections, and methods thatcan help people in doing so. Traditional calendars may also allow usersto schedule events, organize events, invite other to events and acceptevent invitations.

Such calendar systems may not support function related to execution ofusers' actions that are in support of individual, business unit,department level or organization level strategy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a first user interface in which a digitalcalendar has been transformed into a strategic tool or strategyexecution tool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a second user interface in which a digitalcalendar has been transformed into a strategic tool or strategyexecution tool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a third user interface in which a digitalcalendar has been transformed into a strategic tool or strategyexecution tool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a block system diagram configured fortransforming a digital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategyexecution tool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a second flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a third flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a fourth flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a fifth flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a sixth flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a seventh flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an apparatus configured for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a first flowchart illustrating a process for transforming adigital calendar system into a strategic tool or strategy executiontool, according to an example embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

The techniques of the present disclosure relate to technology thattransforms a digital calendar into strategic took or a strategyexecution tool. As used herein, “strategy execution tool” indicates thatthe tool allows a user to execute a strategy via the tool.

According to the techniques described herein a processor determines apriority for a user of a digital calendar system. The processordetermines a link between the priority and a calendar entry in thedigital calendar system. A change to the digital calendar systemassociated with the priority is determined. An effect on the prioritybased upon the change to the digital calendar system is determined. Datais generated describing a display of the effect on the priority fordisplay in a user interface of the digital calendar system. The effectmay be an effect on an individual or group priority.

Also according to the techniques described external content is embeddedwithin a user interface of a digital calendar system, wherein thecontent is received from a source external to the digital calendarsystem, and wherein the content is contextually relevant to internalcontent displayed in the user interface that is internal to the digitalcalendar system. According to specific example embodiments, the contentmay be displayed together with other contextually relevant data. Auser's priority associated with a calendar event is determined. Analignment between a user's desired investment of time in the priorityand the user's actual investment of time in the priority is determined.

As used herein, the term “priority” is used to indicate concepts thatinclude a focus area, a specific goal, an objective, a strategy, a keyperformance indicator (KPI), a task, or any desirable state or outcomedesired by a user or their organization.

Example Embodiments

With reference now made to FIG. 1, depicted there is a flowchart 100illustrating a process according to the techniques described herein forgenerating a user-specific display within a digital calendar or PIMsystem. The process of flowchart 100 integrates a strategic tool orstrategy execution tool into a users' daily calendar screens as opposedto being a separate interface. The interface enables easy, one clicklinking of calendar events into an intelligent learning system thatenables automated tracking of time focused on priorities, and yieldsintelligent insights and progress benchmarking. Example embodiments maytransform the functionality of a digital calendar system interface froma transactional tool into a strategic work-tool or strategy executiontool which, instead of merely automating calendaring functions, improvesuser performance, helping users to function more effectively, and pushesusers to think about the calendaring actions they are taking with regardto themselves and to others. Example embodiments may also automatelinking calendar events to their priorities as a learning system and maygive users the ability to scan and modify these automated links directlyin the calendar system interface.

According to example embodiments, the display may be based upon a user's“mindset.” More specifically, the process of flowchart 100 may be usedto generate a display that serves as a tool for a user to reach adesired priority with data tailored to the specific user. The displaymay be generated, in part, from a multidimensional profile comprising avector representation of the user's preferences as described in U.S.application Ser. No. 15/092,349, filed on Apr. 6, 2016, which issued onApr. 9, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,255,700, the entire contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Themultidimensional profiles may be for an individual or for a group, suchas a team, a department and/or an organization.

For example, an individual whose mindset profile indicates an analyticalmind with a focus on personal relationships may receive a visual networkmap indicating their interactions with other people. An individualfocused on individual outcomes may receive a display of the amount oftime they spend on each of their priorities. Because the displays aretailored to the mindset of the individual user, the visual displays maybe designed to trigger an individual to take a corrective action to getback onto a desired path to reach the priority. In other words, theoperations illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used to generate a novel set ofquantitative metrics and presents visualization strategies that triggerleaders to make strategic choices based on behavioral changes. Thesystem assembles personalized triggers for each individual on the basisof the desired behavior, which can be tailored to the individual'smindset when appropriate.

According to other example embodiments, the displays may be tailored tothe mindset and current relevant data of a team, a department and/or anorganization. Accordingly, the visual displays may be designed totrigger members of such groups to take one or more actions, such asgetting back onto a desired path to reach the priority, updating thepriority or related time commitment, aligning with others, reading aninsight or information, and other actions. In other words, theoperations illustrated in FIG. 1 may be used to generate a novel set ofquantitative metrics and presents visualization strategies that triggerleaders to make strategic choices and potentially take related actionsbased on behavioral changes ore relevant data changes. The systemassembles personalized triggers for each individual on the basis of thedesired behavior, which can be tailored to the individual's mindset whenappropriate.

Flowchart 100 begins in operation 105 in which a priority for a user ofa digital calendar system is determined. This priority may be entered bythe user or automatically generated by the system. For example, a userinterface of the digital calendar system may permit a user to enter newpriorities that will be integrated into the processes described herein.Turning briefly to FIG. 2, depicted therein is a screenshot of a userinterface 200 of a digital calendar system for either an individual, ateam, a department and/or an organization. Included in the userinterface 200 is a priority portion 205 and a calendar portion 210.Priority portion 205 includes a listing 215 of priorities 220 a-c for anindividual or a plurality of users, such as a team, a department and/oran organization. The present view of user interface 200 includes theamount of time currently committed to each priority 220 a-c. To capturetime unassociated with any of priorities 220 a-c, non-priority relatedtime 225 is also displayed. According to the example embodiment of FIG.2, a user is provided with button 230 which allows a user to add a newpriority. Accordingly, operation 105 of FIG. 1 may be embodied as aprocessor receiving data indicating that a user has entered a newpriority through a user interface like user interface 200 of FIG. 2, viabutton 230. According to other example embodiments, when a user createsa calendar entry through, for example, calendar portion 210 of FIG. 2,the user may be prompted to associate a priority with the entry.According to still other example embodiments, if another user creates acalendar invite associated with a priority for that other user, if theinvite is accepted by the present user, the priority associated with theinvite may become associated with the user receiving the calendarinvitation. Accordingly, operation 105 of FIG. 1 may be embodied as aprocessor receiving data indicating one of the above described events,or other events known to those skilled in the art.

In operation 110, a link between a priority and a calendar entry in thedigital calendar system is determined. Similar to the discussion aboveregarding operation 105, the link between the priority and the calendarentry may take place when a user creates a new priority. According toother example embodiments, the priority may be associated with acalendar entry when a new calendar entry is created, or when a newcalendar event invitation is sent or received. Accordingly, operations105 and 110 of FIG. 1 may take place simultaneous or consecutively,depending on how the priority becomes linked with an entry in thedigital calendar system. Similar to operation 105, operation 110 may beembodied as a processor receiving data indicating the link between thepriority and the calendar entry.

In operation 115, a multidimensional data profile of the user or groupis generated. The multidimensional data profile may comprise a vectorrepresentation of preferences of the user or group. Operation 115 mayinclude a series of interactions of the user with a user interface, suchas user interface 200 of FIG. 2. More specifically, the data profile maybe based upon the techniques described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/092,349 (issued on Apr. 9, 2019 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,255,700).Accordingly, the generation of the user or group profile may be basedupon interactions within a user interface that include typed text,voice-communicated text, touchscreen input data such as swipes, mouseclicks, answers to questions, minimizing or closing a pop-up window,emojis, icons, accepting or declining a calendar event invitation,sending a calendar event invitation, communicating with otherindividuals and others. The result of operation 115 may be a profilethat includes a series of inclination values stored as vectors whichquantify not only the user's mindset, but also the strength of evidenceupon which the information is based.

In operation 120 a change in the digital calendar system associated withthe priority is determined. This change in the digital calendar systemmay be embodied as one or more of the events on the followingnon-exhaustive list:

-   -   Receiving a new calendar invitation associated with the        priority;    -   Sending a new calendar invitation associated with the priority;    -   Cancelling a calendar event associated with the priority;    -   Creating/Adding a calendar event associated with the priority;    -   Modifying a due date associated with the priority;    -   Modifying a date of a calendar entry associated with the        priority;    -   Removing a link between the priority and a calendar entry;    -   Detecting another user link or unlink a different priority to a        calendar previously associated with a priority of the initial        user; and other known to those skilled in the art.

In operation 125, a change to the priority is detected based upon thechange to the digital calendar system detected in operation 120. Forexample, a change in description or change in a user's requiredcommitment to meet the demands of the priority may be determined. Thedetermination of operation 125 may be made based upon data stored in adatabase system. This information may include:

-   -   Metadata related to past and future planned enterprise        activities (description, participants, duration, expected        outcomes), including past and future calendar events within the        digital calendar system;    -   Descriptions of individual user's current priorities either from        data repositories or as described by the user;    -   Metadata related to commitments made by users in terms of        resource allocation;    -   Metadata related to users' access to organizational content        (type of content, time of access, description of content).

In operation 130, a display is generated which indicates the effect ofthe change in the digital calendar system on the priority. The effectmay be on an individual or group priority. The form taken by the displayis based upon the multidimensional data profile for the user or group.

For example, a multidimensional profile that indicates a user with ananalytical mind with a focus on personal relationships may result in adisplay of a visual network map indicating the user's interactions withother people. A multidimensional profile that indicates a user focusedon individual outcomes may result in a display of the amount of timethey spend on each of their priorities. An example of such a display isillustrated in FIG. 2 through in time usage portions 222 a-c, as well asnon-priority related time 225. A more detailed view of such a display isillustrated through user interface 300 of FIG. 3. Accordingly, FIG. 3displays priority linked time in time usage portions 322 a-c andnon-priority linked time in portions 325 a and b.

Finally, all displays and action triggers are presented inside a windowvisible within the digital calendar interface to ensure that the userhas access to all underlying information and action triggers during theflow of their work, or as an embedded component of their workflow.

According to some embodiments, the display generated in operation 130may be generated to include triggers that may trigger users to makestrategic choices based on data or behavioral changes. For example, thedisplays illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 provide an aggregated viewcomparing actual time spent on priorities with the time planned orpreviously aggregated to the priorities. Such a display allows a user todevelop a clear understanding of which priorities are being focused on,which actions to take and whether or not that focus should be altered.Table I below provides a chart illustrating a desired behavior and thetriggers and displays that may be generated to bring about thatbehavior.

TABLE 1 Desired Behavior and Corresponding Triggers and DisplaysBehavior Trigger Display for generating trigger Improve Clear Anaggregated view focus on understanding of comparing actual timepriorities current focus on spent on priorities and priorities plannedtime Modify Having the ability Priorities are displayed at choices to tosee their key choice points during Improve use top priorities certainwork related of time integrated activities such as setting against intodaily a meeting to inviting priorities works screens others to a meetingin order to drive behavior change due to the strategic lens that isprovided Modify Having the Displaying priorities of choices to abilityto others into the calendar Improve see others priorities display of theuser use of integrated into daily time against work screens prioritiesOptimize Insight into the Display different clusters use of distributionof events in the calendar, resources of resource and distribution ofincluding allocation time spent on each time for cluster and how focusedall of this relates to execution individual and organizationalpriorities Align with Insight into Linking individual organizationalresources calendar events priorities invested into events automaticallyto organizational that are not aligned priorities and displaying withorganization's the share of time spent goals on events not aligned withorganizational priorities Collaborate Appreciation of other Displayingpriorities of different effectively people's priorities and users toprovide insights into the ensuring effective priorities of other leadersin the participation organization, driving different Appreciation of thechoices to optimize effective level and efficiency of executioncollective execution by them and others Improve Insight into individualDisplaying priorities of different accountability choices of prioritiesusers to provide greater understanding and the ability to ensureindividuals and teams are choosing relevant priorities as well asinforming the choices of others Decision Displaying how decisionsrecording and are made, by whom, tracking when and what specific topicthey are related to and having the ability for all concerned to accessthem from anywhere

Accordingly, the displays generated in operation 130 may be displays fora strategic tool, such as a strategy execution tool. Such a tool may beparticularly advantageous when implemented within the underlyinginterface and/or workspace of the digital calendar system. Thebehavioral change required for more effective action is reduced due tothe innovative location of the information, triggers and actions in aspace where the user already has the habit of going to and working inall the time. This invention is meant to reduce the hurdles of behaviorchange required to adopt more effective habits. In such an exampleembodiment, the a framework that has been designed and built to supporta certain set of calendaring functions is leveraged to offer a muchdifferent set of services and functions using the same underlyinginterface and workspace. Specifically, such an example embodimentemploys an existing digital calendar framework and transforms it into astrategic tool, utilizing the software environment where people alreadywork and integrated into their existing workflow, to bridge the gapbetween plan and execution. As examples, the system helps users:

-   -   Remain aware of priorities while doing daily work;    -   Improve focus on priorities;    -   Optimize the use of time;    -   Proactively block time to focus;    -   Link use of time to individual and organizational priorities;    -   View priorities of others;    -   Maximize effectiveness of collaboration;    -   Record details on how windows of time are utilized;    -   Enable efficient follow through from this calendared time which        is accessible directly from each specific event;    -   Become more aware of department organizational priorities and        strategies;    -   Operate with more information and awareness of overall execution        focus and patterns; and/or    -   Helps users to learn while doing versus learn m a separate and        disconnected training environment.

More specifically, the above-described benefits may be achieved becausethe strategic tools (e.g., strategy execution tools) are implementedwithin the digital calendar interface, an interface that users may usethroughout their work-day, and may utilize and access as a matter ofhabit. By embedding the strategic insights in a tool ingrained in auser's routine, the strategic insights are more likely to be consideredand internalized, and therefore, the user is more likely to effectuatethe behaviors that the displays generated in operation 130 are intendedto cause.

In addition to the operations illustrated in FIG. 1, additionaloperations may be taken in response to, or as part of the operations offlowchart 100. For example, the process of FIG. 1 may further includeadditional operations based upon the determined changed to the prioritydetermined in operation 125 that either account for the change orattempt to remedy any negative outcome effectuated by the change.Example actions include:

-   -   Evaluating actual usage of available time of individual users to        assess leadership capacity, determine gaps and proactively and        reallocate this time more appropriately;    -   Evaluating actual usage of available time of other individual        users to guide them on their leadership capacity, determine gaps        and proactively and reallocate this time more appropriately;    -   Evaluating actual usage of time of groups of users to assess        leadership capacity, determine gaps and proactively allocate        this time more appropriately;    -   Evaluating capacity gaps and trigger training and recruitment        needs;    -   Determining demand for future use of facilities such as        conference rooms, power, audio-video systems and transportation        to trigger resource procurement to minimize delays and costs;    -   Determining the resource needs in different areas of a facility        based on calendar entries and proactively managing environmental        control systems within offices;    -   Using information linking resource needs and leadership        priorities to proactively plan and trigger optimal resource        allocation and timely procurement, including forecast of        expenses;    -   Determining time availability of users and automatically        altering future due dates of priorities and/or calendar entries;    -   Determining additional users likely to assist in executing and        meeting priorities and automatically inviting such users to        scheduled calendar events;    -   Automatically rerouting or triggering resources, materials and        products in response to changes in priorities. Such rerouting        may include real-time path re-computation for automated devices,        including unmanned vehicles, such as drones or rerouting or        triggering leadership actions to reroute human or other        resources in response to changes in priorities.

The process of FIG. 1 may also select alternative or additionalcommunication channels through which to communicate the data containedin the display generated in operation 130. For example, themultidimensional profile for a particular user may indicate that theuser tends to interact and/or communicate through communication channelsother than the interface of the digital calendar system, such as email,Internet Protocol-based chat applications and/or Short Message Service(SMS) messaging, among others. Accordingly, the process of flowchart 100may include the distribution of the data included in the display throughone of these additional or alternative channels. Utilizing a user'spreferred communication channel means that the data contained in thedisplays are more likely to be considered and internalized, andtherefore, the user is more likely to effectuate the behaviors that thedisplays generated in operation 130 are intended to cause.

With reference again made to FIG. 2, depicted therein is a particularlyadvantageous example embodiment in which strategic tools for focus,improved individual and collective execution, time prioritization,strategy execution, optimization and effectiveness, have been integratedinto the display of the user interface for a digital calendar system.Interface 200 of FIG. 2 reveals meta-level insights of the datadisplayed, created and stored within the digital calendar system bybringing in and utilizing expert knowledge and external data in avisible and integrated manner. Specifically, priority portion 205provides these enhanced functionalities through a modified interfacethat is configured completely as a backend process requiring no efforton the part of the user.

Priority portion 205 transforms the functionality of the digitalcalendar interface 200 from a transactional tool to a strategy executionplatform and strategic work-tool which, instead of merely automatingcalendaring functions, improves user performance, helping users toexecute, align and function more effectively, with more strategicinformation, in the right place, at the right time, and pushes users tothink about the calendaring actions they are taking with regard tothemselves and to others. The invention also automates linking calendarevents to their priorities as a learning system and gives users theability to scan and modify these automated links directly in thecalendar. Because priorities are displayed in priority portion 205 rightalongside calendar entries in calendar portion 210, users are morelikely and easily able to link these priorities to calendar entries. Forexample, a user may simply drag a priority from priority portion 205onto a calendar entry in calendar portion 210 (or vice versa) in orderto link a calendar entry to a particular priority, or be triggered toproactively block time by creating new events to ensure that prioritiesare afforded necessary attention. Furthermore, this linking may be donewithout leaving the digital calendar system user interface and/orwithout selecting a different view within the digital calendar userinterface.

Once a calendar entry is linked to a priority, user interface 200provides users with a clear visual representation of the link. Forexample, the shading used in user interface 200 visually represents thelinks between the calendar entries and the priorities 220 a-c. Forexample, calendar entry 240 a has shading to illustrate that it islinked to priority 220 a, calendar entry 240 b has shading to illustratethat it is linked to priority 220 b, and calendar entry 240 c hasshading to illustrate that it is linked to priority 220 c. Calendarentry 245, on the other hand, is not linked with a priority, andtherefore, calendar entry 245 has shading that corresponds withnon-priority related time 225.

Additional benefits of integrating the strategic benefits of priorityportion 205 into digital calendar user interface 200 include:

-   -   Users may be able to easily view other peoples' priorities and        may be able to guide, compare or align those same priorities        with the user's own calendar entries.    -   Users may categorize each event in the calendar to individual        priorities automatically through a learning model that observes        past and future events and patterns of behaviors.    -   A modified interface may be created that provides insights into        how each event is categorized, as well as the summary past and        future planned of time usage committed to priorities.    -   Access may be provided to details on time usage and event        linking which act as forward looking insights to trigger        behavioral shifts.    -   Access may be provided to an intelligent system that provides        customized insights and guidance to trigger strategic actions.    -   Calendar level data and metadata may be aggregated among all        individuals within an organization to develop aggregated views        that provide insights into the planned and actual past and        future capacity allocation of groups of individuals (teams,        departments, geographic units, and entire organizations, among        others).

With reference now made to FIG. 4, depicted therein is another exampleembodiment of the strategic tool of the present disclosure implementedwithin the user interface 400 of digital calendar system. Like theembodiment of FIG. 2, user interface 400 includes a priorities portion205, a calendar portion 210 and an action center 450. FIG. 4 illustratesan example embodiment user interface 400 of the user interface after auser has selected a specific calendar entry. Accordingly, calendarportion 210 currently displays a single calendar entry. Even though asingle calendar entry is selected, user interface 400 also containspriority portion 205 that displays priority and/or strategic informationand/or options for the specific calendar entry displayed in calendarportion 210. For example, in priorities listing 415 the shading ofpriority 420 b “Product Development” indicates that it is associatedwith the calendar entry displayed in calendar portion 210. Each ofpriorities 420 a-c, as well as non-priority indicator 425 may also serveas a button. By clicking priorities 420 a-c, the calendar entrydisplayed in calendar portion 210 will become linked or associated withthe respective priority. Similarly, clicking non-priority indicator 425allows a user to unlink the calendar entry from all priorities.

Also included in priorities portion 205 of user interface 400 are tabs430 a and 430 b. As illustrated, tab 430 a is selected, which permitsusers to view strategic information, in this case priorities 420 a-c,associated with the calendar entry. By clicking tab 430 b, priorityinformation associated with other uses that are also linked to thedisplayed calendar entry may be viewed. Furthermore, if the present userhas sufficient rights within the digital calendar system, the user maybe able to view, associate or link the displayed calendar entry withother users' priorities. Portion 450 of the priorities portion 205represents an action center which provides users with buttons to providecustomized strategic actions including an action 451 to create an agendafor the event if organized by the user, an action 452 request agenda ifinvited to the event by another user, an action 453 to align the user'spriority with a priority of another user or group, and an action 454 toview a summary of the event. Other event related activity may beprovided for by activity center 450.

With reference now made to FIG. 5, depicted therein is a block systemdiagram 500 of an example embodiment system that may be utilized toimplement the techniques described herein. Included in system diagram500 is user interface 502 that may be embodied as one or more of theuser interfaces illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. User interface 502 includesnative interface modules 504, which may provide native digital calendarsystem user interface features, and priority related data modules 506,which may adapt the framework provided by native interface modules 502to provide a strategy execution tool that helps user 508 to:

-   -   Easily link calendar entries to priorities within a modified        calendar view without leaving their calendar screen.    -   Easily view other users' priorities within a modified calendar        view.    -   Categorize calendar events in the calendar to individual        priorities automatically through a learning model that observes        past events and patterns of behaviors.    -   Create a modified interface that provides insights into how each        calendar entry is categorized, as well as the summary of time        usage among priorities.    -   Access details on past and future time usage and event linking        which act as insights to trigger behavioral shifts.    -   Provide access to an intelligent system that provides customized        current and forward looking insights and guidance to trigger        strategic actions.    -   Aggregate calendar level data and metadata among groups of users        to develop aggregated views that provide insights into the        current and future workings of groups of individuals, teams,        departments, geographic units, and entire organizations, among        others.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the native interface 502 is controlled bycalendar system 510. The calendar system 510 may include a datarepository 512 which stores data for calendar system 510, such as datadefining the calendar events displayed in native interface 502 bycalendar system 510. According to some specific example embodiments,calendar system 510 may be embodied as Microsoft's Outlook calendarsystem. As with many calendar systems, a user authentication module 514is used to authenticate a user to calendar system 510 before the user isprovided with access to the user interface 504.

Priority data modules 506 are controlled by priority data application516. Specifically, priority data application 516 delivers data topriority data modules 506. Priority data modules 506 utilize this datato embed the data in the user interface 502. The embedding of the datainto the user interface 502 transforms the native interface 504, whichdisplays transactional calendaring data, into a strategic execution toolthat allows user 508 to see, for example, his or her actual investmentof time in his or her priorities compared to a desired or commitment oftime, as well as the future investment as currently committed on thecalendar. In order to provide this strategic functionality, a prioritydata repository 518 and a leadership platform 520 are provided. Prioritydata repository 518 includes individual and collect leadership insights,peak performance strategies, leadership wisdom and data storing thepriorities of users of user interface 502. Leadership platform 520provides individual and collective learning, action and insightalgorithms. For example, leadership platform provides the algorithms todetermine or detect new priorities for users or organizations and/orupdate ideal time commitments for users and organizations based upontheir interactions within user interface 502. Leadership platform 520may also include the algorithms to generate and evaluate themultidimensional user profiles and organization profiles that may beused by priority data application 516 to select the appropriate data andcommunication channel to display to user 508.

Also included in system 500 are background synchronization process 520and external devices 522 a-c. Background synchronization process 520synchronizes the data between calendar data repository 512, prioritydata repository 518 and other relevant data on plans to execute, gaps intime utilization, and other relevant actions take and decisions made.Because the processing performed by leadership platform 520 and prioritydata application 516 may need to include information about the data inthe calendar system 510, synchronization between the two datarepositories may be performed. External devices 522 a-c may be utilizedby priority data application 516 to provide additional channels forcommunicating the strategic information and action triggers that aregenerated by leadership platform 520 and priority data application 516.For example, if a multidimensional profile for a particular userindicates that that user interacts more often through email than throughuser interface 502, computing device 522 a may be leveraged to send anemail containing the strategic data to that user. Similarly, if amultidimensional profile for a particular user indicates that that userinteracts more often through SMS or text messaging than through userinterface 502, communication device 522 b may be leveraged to send atext or SMS message containing the strategic data to that user. If thestrategic information includes a change in planning that requiresrerouting of an external device, such as drone 522 c, priorityapplication 516 may communicate with drone 522 c to reroute drone 522 cin real time.

With reference now made to FIG. 6, depicted therein is a flowchart 600illustrating a process by which priority and execution information isembedded within a user interface of a digital calendar system. Forexample, the operations illustrated in FIG. 6 may be carried out by oneor more of priority data modules 506, priority data application 516and/or leadership platform 520 of FIG. 5.

Flowchart 600 begins in operation 602 in which a user opens his or herdigital calendar system user interface, and subsequently selects acalendar entry or event in operation 604. Accordingly, the operationscarried out in flowchart 600 may be used to generate a display like thatillustrated in FIGS. 2-5. A user identifier is extracted in operation606, and a determination is made based upon the identifier as to whetheror not the user is known to the priority data system in operation 608.If the user is unknown to the system, the process ends in operation 610.Assuming the user is known, flowchart 600 proceeds to operation 612,where it is determined whether or not user has any priorities in thesystem. If there are no priorities for the user, processing ends inoperation 610. If there are known priorities, processing continues inoperation 614.

In operation 614, all of the priorities for the user are extracted. Thisis because, as illustrated in FIG. 4, all of the priorities may bedisplayed along with the calendar entry so that user may easily link thecalendar entry to any of his or her priorities, or take different actionbased on the data in the display. These priorities are then eachevaluated through a loop to determine whether or not the priority isalready linked to the calendar entry. This determination takes place inoperation 616. If the priority is linked to the calendar entry, thepriority is displayed with highlighting in operation 618. An example ofthis highlighting may be found in priority 420 b of FIG. 4. If thepriority is not already linked to the calendar entry, the priority isdisplayed without highlight in operation 620, like priorities 420 a and420 c in FIG. 4.

Operations 622 and 624 monitor how the user interacts in the userinterface for priorities linked to the calendar entry and priorities notlinked to the calendar entry, respectively. If a linked priority isunlinked, operation 626 will cause the unlinking to be recorded in, forexample, a priority data repository, like repository 518 of FIG. 5. Ifan unlinked priority is linked to the calendar entry by the user,operation 626 will cause the linking to be recorded in, for example, thepriority data repository, like repository 518 of FIG. 5. Operations616-626 will loop through all of the user's priorities until all of theuser's priorities have been evaluated.

With reference now made to FIG. 7, depicted therein is a flowchart 700illustrating a process for estimating and displaying a gap between theactual and desired or committed time spent on a user's priorities. Inother words, flowchart 700 may be used to populate priority portion 205of FIG. 2 or in the detailed display 300 of FIG. 3.

Flowchart 700 begins in operation 702 in which all of the priorities fora user are extracted from, for example, priority data repository 518 ofFIG. 5. In operation 704, a first of the priorities is selected. Inoperation 706, the calendar events or entries linked to the selectedpriority are extracted from, for example, calendar data repository 512of FIG. 5. In operation 708, start and end times are extracted for allof the linked calendar entries or events, and in operation 710,estimated durations and aggregate time spent on the calendar events orentries are determined.

In operation 712, desired or suggested times for the priority areextracted from, for example, priority data repository 518 of FIG. 5. Inoperation 714, the actual and desired or suggested times are recorded.Operations 716 and 718 will cause operations 706-714 to repeat or loopfor all of the user's priorities. Once all of the priorities have beenevaluated in the loop of operations 706-714, operation 720 causes theactual and desired times to be displayed for each priority. Operation722 estimates and displays the different between the actual and desiredtimes spent on each priority. In other words, operations 720 and 722generate a display like that of priorities portion 205 of FIG. 2.

With reference now made to FIG. 8, depicted therein is flowchart 800which provides a process for forecasting future events that may beneeded to close the gap between the actual time spent on a priority andthe desired or committed time. Accordingly, if a process such as thatillustrated in FIG. 7 determines a gap in the actual time spent on apriority and the desired or committed time that surpasses a thresholdvalue, a process like that illustrated in flowchart 800 may be executedin order to forecast future events that may be needed to close thedetermined gap. These forecasted events may then be automaticallyscheduled in the digital calendar system. The process of flowchart 800may be executed by, for example, one or more of priority data modules506, priority data application 516 and/or leadership platform 520 ofFIG. 5.

Flowchart 800 begins in operation 802 where the priorities for all usersare extracted, and in operation 804 the desired or committed times forall of the priorities are determined. In operation 806, all calendarevents associated or linked with the priorities are determined.Operation 806 may also comprise extracting all calendar entries for theusers, as all of the users' calendar entries and/or events may benecessary to appropriately schedule future events in, for example,operations 822 or 828 to be described in more detail below.

In operation 808, the actual time spent on each of the priorities forall of the users is calculated, while in operation 810 one user isselected for comparison of their actual time and the their desired orcommitted time. In operation 812, the actual times spent on thepriorities are calculated for the specific user selected in operation810, while in operation 814 the time the specific user desired orcommitted to spend on the priorities are calculated. In operation 816,the gap between the actual time spent on the priorities and the user'sdesired or committed time is calculated. In operation 818, the gap iscompare to a threshold value. In some embodiments, the threshold valuewill be zero, such that any gap will result in the execution ofoperation 822, while in other embodiments, a threshold value of greaterthan zero will be used to permit a certain amount of error or deviationbetween the actual time spent on a priority and the desired or committedtime. If the actual times spent are not greater than the thresholdvalues, processing of flowchart 800 proceeds to operation 824. If thethreshold value is exceeded, processing proceeds to operation 822 wherefuture calendar events and/or entries are created to close the gapbetween the actual time spent by the user on the priorities and thedesired or committed time.

In operation 824, a determination is made as to whether or not thecurrent user is the last user to be processed by flowchart 800. If theuser is not the last user, processing proceeds to operation 826 whereanother user is selected, with operations 812-826 serving as a for-loopuntil all users have been evaluated. When the loop completes and allusers have been evaluated, processing proceeds to operation 828 in whichevents are combined to create expected future enterprise events. Exampleenterprise events may include:

-   -   Strategic leadership meeting sessions;    -   Customer support events;    -   Specialized or general training workshops;    -   Planning events;    -   Special production events;    -   Priority alignment conversations;    -   Celebrating successful execution;    -   Changing organization or business unit priorities

With reference now made to FIG. 9, depicted therein is a flowchart 900illustrating a process for estimating future allocation of resources,including users, that may be utilized to empower optimal budgeting,capacity allocation and/or procurement. The processing illustrated inFIG. 9 may be utilized in, for example, one or more of operations 822and/or 828 from FIG. 8.

Flowchart 900 begins in operation 902 where the total past hours for auser or users is calculated. Operation 904 calculates total past usageof one or more resources. Examples of resources include:

-   -   Meeting agendas, summaries and follow-thru items;    -   Conference and meeting locations and facilities;    -   Event accessories such as A/V systems, security systems, meals,        and transportation systems;    -   Labor resources such as A/V specialists, security personnel, and        transportation personnel;    -   Raw materials and labor directly related to production;

Supply chain and logistic systems related to distribution.

In operation 906, a utilization rate for the one or more resources iscalculated based upon the calculations performed in operations 902 and904.

In operation 908, which may take place currently with, subsequent to orprior to operations 902-906, a portfolio of new events for all users isdetermined. This portfolio of new events may include a determination offuture scheduled events and/or newly created events created by, forexample, operations 822 and 828 of FIG. 8. Based upon the portfolio ofnew events, an estimate is made in operation 910 of new hours that willneed to be performed by users to facilitate certain goals or priorities.Based upon the estimated new hours from operation 910, a futureutilization of the one or more resources is calculated in operation 912.Finally, in operation 914 the estimates are displayed as strategicinformation in, for example, the user interface of 502 of FIG. 5 totrigger budgeting, allocation and/or procurement for the one or moreresources. Operation 914 may also include communicating and controllingan external device. For example, if the resource in question is officespace, operation 512 may include proactively managing environmentalcontrol systems within offices associated with the resource. If theresource in question is an unmanned vehicle, operation 914 may includecommunicating with an external device to provide real-time pathre-computation for the unmanned vehicle.

With reference now made to FIG. 10, depicted therein is an alternativeexample embodiment of a method of generating a strategic displayaccording to the techniques described herein. Specifically, flowchart1000 illustrates a process for generating a user-specific display withina digital calendar system, but does so without reference to amultidimensional profile for the user. In operation 1005, a priority fora user is determined by a processor. This priority may be determined, byfor example, extracting the priority from a priority data repository,like priority data repository 518 of FIG. 5. A link between the priorityand a calendar entry in the digital calendar system is determined by theprocessor in operation 1010. This link may also be determined based uponthe contents of a priority data repository, like priority datarepository 518 of FIG. 5.

In operation 1015, a change to the digital calendar is determined by theprocessor. For example, a user may link or unlink a calendar entry to apriority. In response to this linking or unlinking, values associatedwith the priority may be updated. Such an effect is determined inoperation 1020. For example, linking a new calendar entry to a prioritymay alter the amount of actual, desire or committed time for thepriority. Accordingly, a display like priority portion 205 of FIG. 2 mayneed to be updated. Accordingly, operation 1020 may be embodied through,for examples, operations carried out in FIG. 5. In operation 1025, datadescribing a display of the effect on the priority is generated. Thisdata may be used to display the effect of the change in a user interfaceof a digital calendar system. In other words, operation 1025 may beembodied as the updating of a priority portion in a user interface, suchas the updating of priority portion 205 of FIG. 2, or the updating ofthe data displayed in FIG. 3.

With reference now made to FIG. 11, depicted therein is an alternativeexample embodiment of a method of generating a strategic displayaccording to the techniques described herein. In operation 1105,external content is embedded in a user interface of a digital calendarsystem. The external content is contextually relevant to internalcontent displayed in the user interface. In other words, operation 1105may be embodied in the generation of one or more of the displays ofFIGS. 2-4. The external content of operation 1105 may be received from adata repository, such as priority data repository 518 of FIG. 5, whilethe internal content may comprises calendar entries or events receivedfrom a data repository internal to the digital calendar system, such ascalendar data repository 512 of FIG. 5.

In operation 1110, a user's priority associated with a calendar event isdetermined. In other words, operation 1110 may be embodied through oneor more of the operations carried out through flowchart 600 of FIG. 6.For example, operation 1110 may include determining that a user haslinked a priority to a calendar entry, newly linked a priority to acalendar entry and/or newly removed a link between the priority and thecalendar entry.

In operation 1115, an alignment between a user's desired investment oftime in the priority and the user's actual investment of time in thepriority is determined. In other words, operation 1115 may be embodiedas one or more processes illustrated in flowchart 700 of FIG. 7.

With reference now made to FIG. 12, illustrated therein is a computersystem 1201 upon which the embodiments presented may be implemented. Thecomputer system 1201 may be programmed to implement a computer baseddevice, such as a video conferencing endpoint or any device includes avideo encoder or decoder for processing real time video images. Thecomputer system 1201 includes a bus 1202 or other communicationmechanism for communicating information, and a processor 1203 coupledwith the bus 1202 for processing the information. While the figure showsa single block 1203 for a processor, it should be understood that theprocessors 1203 represent a plurality of processing cores, each of whichcan perform separate processing. The computer system 1201 also includesa main memory 1204, such as a random access memory (RAM) or otherdynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), andsynchronous DRAM (SD RAM)), coupled to the bus 1202 for storinginformation and instructions to be executed by processor 1203. Inaddition, the main memory 1204 may be used for storing temporaryvariables or other intermediate information during the execution ofinstructions by the processor 1203.

The computer system 1201 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 1205or other static storage device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasablePROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to thebus 1202 for storing static information and instructions for theprocessor 1203.

The computer system 1201 also includes a disk controller 1206 coupled tothe bus 1202 to control one or more storage devices for storinginformation and instructions, such as a magnetic hard disk 1207, and aremovable media drive 1208 (e.g., floppy disk drive, read-only compactdisc drive, read/write compact disc drive, compact disc jukebox, tapedrive, and removable magneto-optical drive). The storage devices may beadded to the computer system 1201 using an appropriate device interface(e.g., small computer system interface (SCSI), integrated deviceelectronics (IDE), enhanced-IDE (E-IDE), direct memory access (DMA), orultra-DMA).

The computer system 1201 may also include special purpose logic devices(e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurablelogic devices (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complexprogrammable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs)), that, in addition to microprocessors and digital signalprocessors may individually, or collectively, are types of processingcircuitry. The processing circuitry may be located in one device ordistributed across multiple devices.

The computer system 1201 may also include a display controller 1209coupled to the bus 1202 to control a display 1210, such as a cathode raytube (CRT), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or other now known orhereinafter developed display technologies, for displaying informationto a computer user. The computer system 1201 includes input devices,such as a keyboard 1211 and a pointing device 1212, for interacting witha computer user and providing information to the processor 1203. Thepointing device 1212, for example, may be a mouse, a trackball, or apointing stick for communicating direction information and commandselections to the processor 1203 and for controlling cursor movement onthe display 1210. In addition, a printer may provide printed listings ofdata stored and/or generated by the computer system 1201.

The computer system 1201 performs a portion or all of the processingsteps of the process in response to the processor 1203 executing one ormore sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, suchas the main memory 1204. Such instructions may be read into the mainmemory 1204 from another computer readable medium, such as a hard disk1207 or a removable media drive 1208. One or more processors in amulti-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 1204. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are notlimited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

As stated above, the computer system 1201 includes at least one computerreadable medium or memory for holding instructions programmed accordingto the embodiments presented, for containing data structures, tables,records, or other data described herein. Examples of computer readablemedia are compact discs, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-opticaldisks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SD RAM, or anyother magnetic medium, compact discs (e.g., CD-ROM), or any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium withpatterns of holes, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Stored on any one or on a combination of non-transitory computerreadable storage media, embodiments presented herein include softwarefor controlling the computer system 1201, for driving a device ordevices for implementing the process, and for enabling the computersystem 1201 to interact with a human user (e.g., print productionpersonnel). Such software may include, but is not limited to, devicedrivers, operating systems, development tools, and applicationssoftware. Such computer readable storage media further includes acomputer program product for performing all or a portion (if processingis distributed) of the processing presented herein.

The computer code devices may be any interpretable or executable codemechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs,dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes, and complete executableprograms. Moreover, parts of the processing may be distributed forbetter performance, reliability, and/or cost.

The computer system 1201 also includes a communication interface 1213coupled to the bus 1202. The communication interface 1213 provides atwo-way data communication coupling to a network link 1214 that isconnected to, for example, a local area network (LAN) 1215, or toanother communications network 1216 such as the Internet. For example,the communication interface 1213 may be a wired or wireless networkinterface card to attach to any packet switched (wired or wireless) LAN.As another example, the communication interface 1213 may be anasymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of communications line. Wirelesslinks may also be implemented. In any such implementation, thecommunication interface 1213 sends and receives electrical,electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streamsrepresenting various types of information.

The network link 1214 typically provides data communication through oneor more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link1214 may provide a connection to another computer through a local areanetwork 1215 (e.g., a LAN) or through equipment operated by a serviceprovider, which provides communication services through a communicationsnetwork 1216. The local network 1214 and the communications network 1216use, for example, electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals thatcarry digital data streams, and the associated physical layer (e.g., CAT5 cable, coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc.). The signals through thevarious networks and the signals on the network link 1214 and throughthe communication interface 1213, which carry the digital data to andfrom the computer system 1201 maybe implemented in baseband signals, orcarrier wave based signals. The baseband signals convey the digital dataas unmodulated electrical pulses that are descriptive of a stream ofdigital data bits, where the term “bits” is to be construed broadly tomean symbol, where each symbol conveys at least one or more informationbits. The digital data may also be used to modulate a carrier wave, suchas with amplitude, phase and/or frequency shift keyed signals that arepropagated over a conductive media, or transmitted as electromagneticwaves through a propagation medium. Thus, the digital data may be sentas unmodulated baseband data through a “wired” communication channeland/or sent within a predetermined frequency band, different thanbaseband, by modulating a carrier wave. The computer system 1201 cantransmit and receive data, including program code, through thenetwork(s) 1215 and 1216, the network link 1214 and the communicationinterface 1213. Moreover, the network link 1214 may provide a connectionthrough a LAN 1215 to a mobile device 1217 such as a personal digitalassistant (PDA) laptop computer, or cellular telephone.

With reference now made to FIG. 13, depicted therein is a flowchart 1300that provides a strategy execution tool according to the techniques ofthe present application. Process 1300 begins in operation 1305 where astrategic plan for a group of users is determined via a processor. Thegroup of users may comprise a team within an organization, a departmentwithin an organization, or the entire organization itself.

In operation 1310, individual and group priorities related to thestrategic plan are determined. For example, the priorities may includeconcepts such as a focus area, a specific goal, an objective, astrategy, a KPI, a task, or any desirable state or outcome desired by auser or their organization.

In operation 1315, the individual and group priorities are displayed ina digital calendar system to drive effective execution. For example, theindividual and group priorities may be displayed in a user's personalinformation manager computing system, such as Microsoft's Outlookprogram. By displaying the group priorities in such a personalinformation manager, the priories will be integrated into the user'sexisting workflow.

The above description is intended by way of example only. Although thetechniques are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one ormore specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited tothe details shown, since various modifications and structural changesmay be made within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

1. A method, comprising: determining, via a processor, a priority for auser of a digital calendar system; determining, via the processor, aplurality of links between the priority and a plurality of calendarentries in the digital calendar system, each link from the plurality oflinks being one of automatically generated or identified in response toan action of the user indicating an association between (1) the prioritydisplayed within a first section of a user interface and (2) a secondsection of the user interface, the first section of the user interfacebeing different from the second section of the user interface, and eachlink from the plurality of links visually represented within the userinterface by one of a hatched pattern or a cross-hatched pattern;determining an effect on the priority based on a change to the digitalcalendar system; generating, via the processor and based on amultidimensional data profile of the user, data describing the effect onthe priority, for display via the user interface; causing display of thedata in the first section of the user interface and not in the secondsection of the user interface; and causing display of the plurality ofcalendar entries in the second section of the user interface and not inthe first section of the user interface.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising generating the multidimensional data profile of theuser, the multidimensional data profile including a vectorrepresentation of preferences of the user.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the action of the user includes the user dragging, via the userinterface, a representation of the priority toward the second section ofthe user interface .
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprisinginitiating an action at an external device in response to determiningthe effect on the priority.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein initiatingthe action comprises at least one of: causing an external communicationdevice to send an email, causing the external communication device tosend a short message service (SMS) message, or causing the externalcommunication device to send a chat message.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the determining the effect on the priority comprises determiningan effect on a strategy of a group associated with the user.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the data includes a button configured to oneof: request an agenda for a meeting, generate an agenda for the meeting,align a set of priorities of the user with a set of priorities ofanother user, or align the set of priorities of the user with a set ofpriorities of a group of users different from the user.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising scheduling a new calendar entry in thedigital calendar system in response to determining the effect on thepriority.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes datarepresenting at least one calendar entry that is color-coded based onthe priority.
 10. A method, comprising: embedding, via a processor,external content within a user interface of a digital calendar system,the user interface having a format that is selected based on amultidimensional data profile of the user; determining, via theprocessor, and causing display of in a first section of the userinterface, a priority of a user, the priority associated with aplurality of calendar events, each link from a plurality of linksbetween the priority and a unique calendar event from the plurality ofcalendar events being one of automatically generated or identified inresponse to an action of the user indicating an association between (1)the priority displayed within the first section of the user interfaceand (2) a second section of the user interface, the first section of theuser interface being different from the second section of the userinterface, and each link from the plurality of links visuallyrepresented within the user interface by one of a hatched pattern or across-hatched pattern; determining, via the processor, and displaying inthe user interface, a representation of a relationship between apreviously-defined investment of time in the priority and an actualinvestment of time in the priority; causing display, via the userinterface, of a representation of priorities of other users; and causingdisplay of a plurality of calendar entries in the second section of theuser interface and not in the first section of the user interface. 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the other users are a pre-selected groupof users.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein embedding the externalcontent within the user interface comprises modifying the user interfaceto include a representation of an effect of calendar events from theplurality of calendar events on the priority of the user.
 13. The methodof claim 10, wherein embedding the external content within the userinterface comprises modifying the user interface to include arepresentation of an effect of calendar events from the plurality ofcalendar events on priorities of a group of users including the user.14. The method of claim 10, further comprising displaying a specificcalendar event concurrently with a priority assigned to the specificcalendar event by the user.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein theexternal content includes strategy-related content selected based on atleast one of the multidimensional data profile of the user or amultidimensional data profile of a group of users including the user.16. A method, comprising: determining, via a processor, a plurality ofindividual priorities and a plurality of group priorities, each of theplurality of individual priorities and the plurality of group prioritiesbeing linked, via an associated plurality of links, to a plurality ofcalendar entries, each link from the pluralities of links being one ofautomatically generated or identified in response to an action of a userindicating an association between (1) at least one individual priorityfrom the plurality of individual priorities or at least one grouppriority from the plurality of group priorities, from a first section ofa user interface, and (2) a second section of the user interface, eachlink from the plurality of links visually represented within the userinterface by one of a hatched pattern or a cross-hatched pattern, thefirst section of the user interface being different from the secondsection of the user interface; selecting a format for the user interfacebased on a multidimensional data profile of at least one user from thegroup of users; causing display of the plurality of individualpriorities and of the plurality of group priorities in the first sectionof the user interface and not in the second section of the userinterface; and causing display of the plurality of calendar entries inthe second section of the user interface and not in the first section ofthe user interface.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the action ofthe user includes the user dragging, via the user interface, arepresentation of the priority toward the second section of the userinterface.
 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising initiating anaction at an external device in response to at least one of thedetermining the plurality of individual priorities or the determiningthe plurality of group priorities.
 19. The method of claim 16, whereinthe causing display of the plurality of individual priorities comprisesdisplaying a specific calendar event concurrently with a priorityassigned to the specific calendar event.
 20. The method of claim 16,wherein the causing display of the plurality of group prioritiesincludes displaying a specific calendar event concurrently with apriority assigned to the specific calendar event.